US4729593A - Convertible vehicle body - Google Patents

Convertible vehicle body Download PDF

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Publication number
US4729593A
US4729593A US07/016,361 US1636187A US4729593A US 4729593 A US4729593 A US 4729593A US 1636187 A US1636187 A US 1636187A US 4729593 A US4729593 A US 4729593A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
weather strip
vehicle body
roof
convertible vehicle
front pillar
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US07/016,361
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Sadamu Nisiguchi
Kozo Odoi
Shigeki Akamatsu
Takahiko Akamatsu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mazda Motor Corp
Original Assignee
Mazda Motor Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mazda Motor Corp filed Critical Mazda Motor Corp
Assigned to MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION reassignment MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: AKAMATSU, SHIGEKI, AKAMATSU, TAKAHIKO, NISIGUCHI, SADAMU, ODOI, KOZO
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4729593A publication Critical patent/US4729593A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J10/00—Sealing arrangements
    • B60J10/90—Sealing arrangements specially adapted for non-fixed roofs, e.g. foldable roofs or removable hard-tops

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vehicle body, and more particularly to a sealing structure of a vehicle body. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a sealing structure of a convertible vehicle body in which the roof structure can be moved from a closed position to open the top portion of the passenger compartment.
  • a roof structure is provided so that the structure is moved between a closed position wherein the roof structure covers the top portion of the passenger compartment and a retracted position wherein the roof structure is retracted into the vehicle body usually into the rear section of the vehicle body.
  • the roof structure includes a roof panel which is removably attached to the body.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a convertible vehicle body having a sealing structure between the front corner portion and the side door having means for positively expelling rain water from the area where edge portions of the side door meet the front corner portions of the roof structure.
  • a convertible vehicle body including front windshield means provided at each side with front pillar means and at a top portion with front header means, roof means having a front edge portion adapted for engagement with said front header means, said roof means being removable from a closed position wherein the front edge portion is engaged with said front header means so that a top portion of the body is open ed when the roof means is removed from the closed position, side door means provided at each side of the body and having a front edge portion adapted for engagement with said front pillar means, said front edge portion of the side door means being provided with weather strip means having an upper end portion adapted to be engaged with a front corner portion of said roof means when the roof means is in the closed position, said front pillar means being provided with surface means extending in a lengthwise direction of the front pillar means for engagement with said weather strip means on said front edge portion of the side door means, said front pillar means being provided at a portion transversely inside the surface means with second weather strip means extending in the lengthwise direction
  • the front pillar means includes an outer panel and an inner panel which are connected together at connecting flanges which are located transversely inside the first weather strip means and the second weather strip means is provided on the connecting flanges so that the second weather strip means functions as a trim for covering the connecting flanges.
  • the present invention can be applied to any type of convertible vehicle body.
  • the invention can be applied to a vehicle body in which the roof structure is retracted to the rear body section by means of a linkage as well as to a body in which the roof structure can be taken away to open the top portion of the passenger compartment.
  • the word “removable” as used herein should be construed broadly as covering a roof structure in which the roof can be retracted into the vehicle body as well as the structure in which the roof can be taken away.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible vehicle to which the present invention is embodied
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line II--II in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III--III in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the vehicle body showing particularly the front corner portion of the roof structure
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the side door structure as seen in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the weather strip on the front header and the front pillar;
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the roof structure in the closed position
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the roof structure and the side door in the closed positions;
  • FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX--IX in FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line X--X in FIG. 4.
  • a convertible vehicle body 1 having a roof structure 2 which covers in the closed position shown in the drawing the top portion of the passenger compartment.
  • the roof structure 2 includes a foldable roof top 3 which may be made of a foldable hood as in conventional convertible vehicles.
  • a suitable linkage is provided to drive the roof 3 between the closed position and the open position.
  • An example of such convertible vehicle body structure is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,615 so that detailed description of the roof structure will be omitted.
  • the vehicle body 1 is further provided at each side with a side door 13 including a door panel 11, a front door sash 12, a fixed front door glass 14 and a retractable door glass 14a.
  • the vehicle body 1 includes a front windshield structure 4 which comprises a front header 5 and a pair of front pillars 16 extending downwardly from the opposite ends of the front header 5.
  • a front windshield glass 4a is attached to the front header 5 and the front pillar 16 as conventional in the art.
  • the front header 5 is formed by an outer panel 5c and an inner panel 5d which have rear connecting flanges 5b and 5a, respectively, and front connecting flanges 5e and 5f, respectively, the outer and inner panels 5c and 5d are welded together at the connecting flanges.
  • the connecting flanges 5b on the outer panel 5c is bent upwards and there is provided along the upwardly bent portion of the connecting flange 5b a weather strip 6.
  • the weather strip 6 is of a substantially U-shaped cross-section having a front lip 6b and a rear lip 6c. A groove 6a is therefore defined in the weather strip 6 between the front lip 6b and the rear lip 6c.
  • the roof structure 2 has a front edge portion 2a which is provided at the inner surface with a stepped portion 2b defining a front sealing surface 2c and a rear sealing surface 2d.
  • the front edge portion 2a of the roof structure 2 is formed by a transversely extending hollow frame 7 which is covered by a front portion of the cloth of the foldable hood 3.
  • the inner surface of the frame 7 is covered by an inner trim cloth 3b which is laid at the front edge under the front end of the hood cloth at the mating section 3a.
  • a trim plate 8 is laid on the superposed edges of the clothes at the mating section 3a and attached to the frame by means of screws 9.
  • a top wire 10 which constitutes a part of the roof operating linkage.
  • the front sealing surface 2c engages the front lip 6b of the weather strip 6 whereas the rear sealing surface 2d engages the rear lip 6c.
  • the engagement between the front sealing surface 2c and the front lip of the weather strip 6 is generally sufficient for providing a required weather-tightness but there may be a possibility of leakage through this sealing structure.
  • the water which has passed through the sealing area between the front sealing surface 2c and the front lip 6b of the weather strip 6 is received by the groove 6a and expelled from the groove 6a sidewardly so that any possibility of water leaking into the passenger compartment can be eliminated.
  • the front door sash 12 carries a weather strip 15 having an outer lip 15a and an inner lip 15b with a groove 17 defined therebetween.
  • the groove 17 is covered with the front pillar 16 to form a closed cross-sectional space so that the water expelled from the groove 6a is substantially introduced thereinto.
  • the front pillar 16 is constituted by an outer panel 16d and an inner panel 16e which are connected together by weldings at front connecting flanges 16f and rear connecting flanges 16c to form a structure of closed cross-section.
  • the outer panel 16d is formed with a stepped portion 16g which defines an outer sealing surface 16a and an inner sealing surface 16b.
  • the inner sealing surface 16b is defined at a corner of the stepped portion 16g. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer lip 15a of the weather strip 15 on the door sash 12 is engaged with the outer sealing surface 16a whereas the inner lip 15b of the weather strip 15 is engaged with the inner sealing surface 16b of the front pillar 16.
  • the front pillar 16 is provided with a rain drip rail 16h which is located outside the outer sealing surface 16a and extends along the length of the front pillar 16.
  • the rain drip rail 16h has an upper end located adjacent to an transverse end of the groove 6a defined in the weather strip 6 so that the water expelled from the groove 6a is directed to the rain drip rail 16h.
  • a further weather strip 20 is provided on the connecting flanges 16c of the front pillar 16.
  • the weather strip 20 covers the connecting flanges 16c so that it functions as a trimming strip or a seaming welt.
  • the weather strip 20 is formed integrally with the weather strip 6 on the front header 5 and has a lip 22 which defines a groove 21 extending along the length of the front pillar 16.
  • the groove 21 of the weather strip 20 extends upwardly to the upper end of the front pillar 16 and has an upper end closed by an end wall 22a. In the illustrated embodiment, the groove 21 is expanded at the upper end portion to form a water pocket 21a.
  • the roof 3 is provided at each front side corner with a sealing member 19 which is adapted to be engaged with the rear sealing lip 6c of the weather strip 6 at the end portion of the front header 5.
  • the upper end of the sash 12 on the side door 13 is located adjacent to the front corner of the roof structure 2 when the door is closed.
  • the sash 12 on the door 13 is provided at an upper end portion with a weather strip 15d which is contiguous with the weather strip 15 on the sash 12 of the side door 13.
  • the weather strip 15d is formed at the upper end with a sealing lip 15c which engages the front end of the seal 19 on the roof structure 2.
  • the weather strip 15d has sealing lips 15e and 15f which are contiguous with the sealing lips 15a and 15b and engaged with the sealing surfaces 16a and 16b, respectively of the front pillar 16.
  • the sealing lip 15e is formed continuous with the sealing lip 15c.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Vehicle Waterproofing, Decoration, And Sanitation Devices (AREA)
US07/016,361 1986-02-19 1987-02-19 Convertible vehicle body Expired - Lifetime US4729593A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP61-23297[U] 1986-02-19
JP1986023297U JPH042088Y2 (de) 1986-02-19 1986-02-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4729593A true US4729593A (en) 1988-03-08

Family

ID=12106664

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07/016,361 Expired - Lifetime US4729593A (en) 1986-02-19 1987-02-19 Convertible vehicle body

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US4729593A (de)
JP (1) JPH042088Y2 (de)

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4892351A (en) * 1987-03-13 1990-01-09 Honda Giken Kogyo K.K. Water drain trough for automotive sunroof
US5009464A (en) * 1986-07-25 1991-04-23 Kinugawa Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd. Structure for draining liquid for a vehicle and method for forming the structure
US5106149A (en) * 1989-12-26 1992-04-21 Ford Motor Company Weatherstrip for hardtop-type or framed door windows
GB2295801A (en) * 1994-12-07 1996-06-12 Daimler Benz Ag Sealing arrangement for movable vehicle roof panels with a drainage channel.
US5673959A (en) * 1994-11-28 1997-10-07 Padlo; Craig W. Foldable convertible flexible-roof support
US5848819A (en) * 1996-04-23 1998-12-15 Dura Convertible Systems, Inc. Convertible topstack with extruded & ajustable side rails
US5851048A (en) * 1994-10-06 1998-12-22 Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. Weather strip
US5947546A (en) * 1996-10-22 1999-09-07 Chrysler Corporation Apparatus for attaching a soft top to a motor vehicle
US5979969A (en) * 1997-10-22 1999-11-09 Chrysler Corporation Apparatus for selectively mounting a hard top and a soft top to a motor vehicle
US5992917A (en) * 1996-10-22 1999-11-30 Chrysler Corporation Top system for a motor vehicle
US6036256A (en) * 1996-10-22 2000-03-14 Chrysler Corporation Window assembly for a motor vehicle
US6073989A (en) * 1996-10-22 2000-06-13 Daimlerchrysler Corporation Removable door frame assembly for a motor vehicle
US6189950B1 (en) * 1997-10-29 2001-02-20 Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. Sealing structure for a convertible
US6295713B1 (en) 1996-10-22 2001-10-02 Chrysler Corporation Method for attaching a soft top to a motor vehicle body
US6443519B1 (en) * 1999-09-13 2002-09-03 Webasto Vehicle Systems International Gmbh Sealing system on a motor vehicle
US20030030219A1 (en) * 2001-07-30 2003-02-13 Daimlerchrysler Ag. Seal arrangement for a folding roof of a hardtop vehicle and method for making a seal arrangement
US20040032145A1 (en) * 2002-08-15 2004-02-19 Randall Worley Hard-top convertible roof apparatus
EP1512571A1 (de) * 2003-09-07 2005-03-09 Webasto AG Fahrzeugdach mit abzudichtenden Bauteilübergängen
US20050127707A1 (en) * 2003-12-11 2005-06-16 Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. Sealing structure for convertible type vehicle
US20060125292A1 (en) * 2004-12-15 2006-06-15 Wolfgang Richter Water management system for a retractable hard top
DE102004016031C5 (de) * 2004-03-30 2008-01-24 Magna Car Top Systems Gmbh Dichtungsanordnung
US20080129075A1 (en) * 2006-12-05 2008-06-05 Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.. Convertible top weatherstrip
US20090066110A1 (en) * 2007-09-10 2009-03-12 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Ag Motor Vehicle Roof Configuration Which Can Be Put Away
US20110099912A1 (en) * 2007-03-30 2011-05-05 Shiroki Corporation Vehicle Door Frame Structure

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2658083B2 (ja) * 1987-10-27 1997-09-30 スズキ株式会社 サンルーフ型自動車のウインドシールドの構造
JP2567217Y2 (ja) * 1991-02-20 1998-04-02 スズキ株式会社 オープンカーの排水構造

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2759760A (en) * 1954-03-22 1956-08-21 Donald E Omlie Finish moldings and weather sealing door top headers for automobiles
US4261615A (en) * 1979-09-20 1981-04-14 Deaver Dann T Convertible top structure and method
JPS5730640A (en) * 1980-07-30 1982-02-18 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Drip channel for car
EP0102556A2 (de) * 1982-08-21 1984-03-14 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Dichtungsanordnung für ein Kraftfahrzeug

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5492511U (de) * 1977-12-13 1979-06-30
JPS582658U (ja) * 1981-06-29 1983-01-08 株式会社ブリヂストン シ−ト状部材の穴あき検査装置
JPS582657U (ja) * 1981-06-30 1983-01-08 ニッタン株式会社 分離型減光式煙感知器
JPS6087848U (ja) * 1983-11-24 1985-06-17 日産自動車株式会社 車体開口部の雨垂れ防止装置

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2759760A (en) * 1954-03-22 1956-08-21 Donald E Omlie Finish moldings and weather sealing door top headers for automobiles
US4261615A (en) * 1979-09-20 1981-04-14 Deaver Dann T Convertible top structure and method
JPS5730640A (en) * 1980-07-30 1982-02-18 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Drip channel for car
EP0102556A2 (de) * 1982-08-21 1984-03-14 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Dichtungsanordnung für ein Kraftfahrzeug

Cited By (34)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5009464A (en) * 1986-07-25 1991-04-23 Kinugawa Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd. Structure for draining liquid for a vehicle and method for forming the structure
US4892351A (en) * 1987-03-13 1990-01-09 Honda Giken Kogyo K.K. Water drain trough for automotive sunroof
US5106149A (en) * 1989-12-26 1992-04-21 Ford Motor Company Weatherstrip for hardtop-type or framed door windows
US6010177A (en) * 1994-10-06 2000-01-04 Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. Weather strip
US5851048A (en) * 1994-10-06 1998-12-22 Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. Weather strip
US5673959A (en) * 1994-11-28 1997-10-07 Padlo; Craig W. Foldable convertible flexible-roof support
GB2295801A (en) * 1994-12-07 1996-06-12 Daimler Benz Ag Sealing arrangement for movable vehicle roof panels with a drainage channel.
GB2295801B (en) * 1994-12-07 1996-11-27 Daimler Benz Ag Roof arangement for closing off a roof opening of a motor vehicle
US5727839A (en) * 1994-12-07 1998-03-17 Mercedes-Benz Ag Roof arrangement for closing off a roof cutout of a motor vehicle
US5848819A (en) * 1996-04-23 1998-12-15 Dura Convertible Systems, Inc. Convertible topstack with extruded & ajustable side rails
US6295713B1 (en) 1996-10-22 2001-10-02 Chrysler Corporation Method for attaching a soft top to a motor vehicle body
US5992917A (en) * 1996-10-22 1999-11-30 Chrysler Corporation Top system for a motor vehicle
US6036256A (en) * 1996-10-22 2000-03-14 Chrysler Corporation Window assembly for a motor vehicle
US6073989A (en) * 1996-10-22 2000-06-13 Daimlerchrysler Corporation Removable door frame assembly for a motor vehicle
US5947546A (en) * 1996-10-22 1999-09-07 Chrysler Corporation Apparatus for attaching a soft top to a motor vehicle
US5979969A (en) * 1997-10-22 1999-11-09 Chrysler Corporation Apparatus for selectively mounting a hard top and a soft top to a motor vehicle
US6189950B1 (en) * 1997-10-29 2001-02-20 Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. Sealing structure for a convertible
US6443519B1 (en) * 1999-09-13 2002-09-03 Webasto Vehicle Systems International Gmbh Sealing system on a motor vehicle
US20030030219A1 (en) * 2001-07-30 2003-02-13 Daimlerchrysler Ag. Seal arrangement for a folding roof of a hardtop vehicle and method for making a seal arrangement
US6685252B2 (en) * 2001-07-30 2004-02-03 Daimlerchrysler Ag Seal arrangement for a folding roof of a hardtop vehicle and method for making a seal arrangement
US6857684B2 (en) * 2002-08-15 2005-02-22 Asc Incorporated Hard-top convertible roof apparatus
US20040032145A1 (en) * 2002-08-15 2004-02-19 Randall Worley Hard-top convertible roof apparatus
EP1512571A1 (de) * 2003-09-07 2005-03-09 Webasto AG Fahrzeugdach mit abzudichtenden Bauteilübergängen
US20050127707A1 (en) * 2003-12-11 2005-06-16 Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. Sealing structure for convertible type vehicle
US7070224B2 (en) * 2003-12-11 2006-07-04 Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. Sealing structure for convertible type vehicle
DE102004016031C5 (de) * 2004-03-30 2008-01-24 Magna Car Top Systems Gmbh Dichtungsanordnung
US7464987B2 (en) 2004-12-15 2008-12-16 Wilhelm Karmann Gmbh Water management system for a retractable hard top
US20060125292A1 (en) * 2004-12-15 2006-06-15 Wolfgang Richter Water management system for a retractable hard top
US20080129075A1 (en) * 2006-12-05 2008-06-05 Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.. Convertible top weatherstrip
US7438344B2 (en) 2006-12-05 2008-10-21 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Convertible top weather strip
US20110099912A1 (en) * 2007-03-30 2011-05-05 Shiroki Corporation Vehicle Door Frame Structure
US8458959B2 (en) * 2007-03-30 2013-06-11 Shiroki Corporation Vehicle door frame structure
US20090066110A1 (en) * 2007-09-10 2009-03-12 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Ag Motor Vehicle Roof Configuration Which Can Be Put Away
US7798554B2 (en) * 2007-09-10 2010-09-21 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Ag Motor vehicle roof configuration which can be put away

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS62137720U (de) 1987-08-31
JPH042088Y2 (de) 1992-01-24

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Owner name: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION, 3-1, SHINCHI, FUCHU-CHO,

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:NISIGUCHI, SADAMU;ODOI, KOZO;AKAMATSU, SHIGEKI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:004671/0608

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